Mule 1st year Gov used elec starter

[rexman]

And who made it, any Pictures,Any place to get one thanks Jim

 

[RodUSMC1962]

Your wise to want one with electric starter, ours were all pull start, like a lawn mower. I always figured that is why they called them 'mules'.We usually had a couple guys push them or pulled them with a mighty mite to start them. Fun hard working things once they were running.

 

[hndrsonj]

Were the early ones different from those available today? If not any of the 3 mule dealers will have them.

 

[clinto]

Are you asking what the first year was that the military bought mules with electric starters? I think it's either '68 or '70, on a few A5's.

I do not think there were very many factory electric start mules. If you're trying to copy the factory style, there's a box that mounts on the steering column for the switch, a battery box and an alternator and voltage regulator from a late Sixties Chrysler product.

 

[rexman]

Thanks just wanted to know if made and used by our troops. no my starter failed and thinking about how it got its name was going get a stock pull starter put the cord out on side not front big handle just set it to start and rip on it from the side pull was going to use. but got a 12 volt gear reduction, with full battery it would not turn it over bench test throw the juice to her want to walk away, had a old prestolight from mr.grove,the ingager to fly wheel won't come out to ingage to start. Motor is free with or with out plugs.Hopeing something else works i plow snow in the winter keep my place from being snow in.in summer she is out in the woods.run chains on the 4 wheel steer.So She is alwise rocking and a rolling

 

[clinto]

There were a few mules equipped with a factory electric start but they're pretty rare. I'd bet 99% of the mules you see at events have been added.

Here are a few threads from the G discussing the electric start and the battery boxes:

http://g503.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=79&t=199211&p=1164343&hilit=mule+electric+start#p1164343

http://g503.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=79&t=193865

http://g503.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=79&t=198268&p=1156312&hilit=mule+electric+start#p1156312

http://g503.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=79&t=145538&p=839731&hilit=mule+electric+start#p839731

http://g503.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=79&t=119398&p=690791&hilit=mule+electric+start#p690791

 

[nickd]

The electric starter was specifically added to accommodate the addition of the TOW weapons system for the mule. The starter used by the military was supplied by prescolite. They are hard to find. Wide tires ,fenders. Alternator and a transient voltage suppression system were added as well. Other additions included mule specific bed mounted brackets just to mount the TOW equipment on a mule.

 

[byrdman1312]

Nick is right. The mule upgrade starter was a Prestolite. It also required the use of a starter solenoid, voltage regulator, and alternator. All MOPAR, same as M880 trucks. The wide wheels and tires were same as used on some trenching machines. Fenders were added for the use of wide tires. The upgrade was done at depot level for 18th Airborne Corps (101 ABN and 82 ABN). This upgrade was done primarily for the TOW system, although some were not fitted with TOWs. Many were used for cargo, along with the mules with the TOW equipped. Some were at forward refuel/rearm points for helicopters, hauling ammo. at artillery positions, and general infantry use. All models used by the Army, from the A3 - A5 were upgraded, mostly A5s. As far as I know the USMC never upgraded theirs. In the late 70's and early 80's, the 101 ABN, Division Maint. Wpns. Shop mounted some mini-guns to some mules for the 160 Special Ops. Aviation Reg. and 5th Special Forces Group. My dad was a wpns. mechanic and did the mounts.
From a collectors point of view, if you see a mule with wide wheels and no fenders, it's not correct. If you want a starter for a mule the new Bosh starters with the solenoid attached is the way to go. You don't need a separate voltage regulator or starter solenoid. Any single wire alternator will work to charge the battery.

 

[emmado22]

You need to figure out if you just want A starter for the mule, or you want the CORRECT starter for the mule. I'll bet that most mule owners just have A starter whch works well, or if your going to do a resto and you want all the correct stuff (MOPAR alternator in the box, voltage regulator, ect. The correct stuff is hard to find, but out there... Nothing wrong with either way, just decide what you want to do and we can help you.

I's stay away from the wide tires as they lead to premature wheel bearing failure if not kept on top of.